Door handle assembly



March 17, 1953 B. J. CRAIG 2,631,879

DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY Original Filed May 3, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

March 17, 1953 B J. CRAIG DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY Original Filed May 5, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

March 17, 1953 B. J. CRAIG DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY Original Filed May 3, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY Burnie J. Craig, Los Angeles County, Calif.

11 Claims.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel door handle assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel inside door handle and catch release member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel outside handle and catch release member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel door handle mounting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel catch release member which is adapted to be mounted on a support such as a handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for mounting a latch operating member on a door handle.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel anatomically correct combined grip and latch releasing member for a vehicle door.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel handle including means permitting it to be angularly adjusted.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view with parts broken away, showing the outside release member and its mountings;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view, with parts broken away, showing the manner in which the outside release member is assembled;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view showing the outside push release member;

Fig. v4 is an isometric view showing the clip forsupporting the outside release member;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view, with parts broken away, showing the outside handle;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary central sectional view through the handle;

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line I1, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view taken on line 8-8, Fig. 7;

Fig, 9 is a section taken on line 9-9, Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a central sectional View showing the inside release member;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view showing the inside release member;

Fig. 12 is an extended view showing the elements of the inside release member;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the handle prior to assembly, and

Fig. 14 is an isometric view showing the inside release rocker arm.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 533,958, filed May 3, 1944, now Patent No. 2,450,372, granted September 28, 1948.

In the accompanying drawings the invention is shown as embodied in an automotive vehicle door latch handle assembly which is indicated generally at I05. A latch is provided for the front doors II and rear doors I2 of a four-door sedan, although the invention is adapted for use with other types of vehicles.

The handle assembly I05 is adapted for use with a latch which includes a base plate I6 having a bolt 30 slidable thereon. The bolt includes a pivoted operating member 41 which may be rocked by movement of an actuating member to be later described The bolt also includes a rotatable sleeve having an operating member 82 thereon adapted to be rocked by an actuating member to be later described. The construction is such that when either the operating member 47 or the operating member 82 is rocked, the latch bolt will be released.

Details of the construction and operation of the latch and bolt and the means whereby either the operating member 41 or the operating member 82 is caused to release the bolt are described in detail in Patent No. 2,450,372, mentioned above. The present door handle assembly construction may be used with many types of door latches and the particular type of bolt and operating member disclosed herein merely describes one of many types which may be employed.

The handle assembly includes an inside supporting plate I5 having a base I6. A threaded collar 79 on the base is aligned with the operating member 82. On the inner face of the door panel 84 a pair of handle support plates 85 and 86 are held in place by spot welding as at 81. These plates 85 and 86 are spaced apart to provide a slot 88. The plates are notched at 89 to receive the bolt 30. providedwith rails BI and 92 respectively (see Fig. 1) which overhang the adjacent parts of the front door panel to form slots 93.

The handle assembly includes a body I06 shown as made from a single piece of material and including a grip portion I01 and an attaching portion I08. The forward end of the attached portion I08 has bevelled sides I09.

The walls of the plates 85 and 86 converge as shown at IIO, Fig. 7, to correspond with the bevel I09 on the handle securing portion. The portion of the handle adjacent to the bevelled portion I09 is of substantially the same thickness as the depth of the slots 93 defined by the rail members 9I and 92 and thus the handle portion may be inserted beneath these members 9| and 92 with the bevelled end I09 providing a tight fit. A screw III (Fig. 7) is then inserted through a hole H2 in the end panel of the door and into a threaded hole H3 in the handle portion I08. Thus a single screw may serve to hold the handle in operative position.

The handle includes a U-shaped housing portion H4 which fits into the adjacent portions I07 and I08 of the handle and may be welded in place. The inner end of the portion Ill is open. The handle includes a slot II-5 arranged in the portions I01 and I08.

A bolt actuating member, indicated generally at I I6 (Fig. 2), includes a body portion II'I which includes spaced wings H8 and a forwardly pro- The plates as and as are thumb sweeping thereover the tip I2I jecting portion IIahaving an offset-endportion I26 which terminates'in a reduced tip I2I. The portion I08 of the handle is slotted as at I22 and beyond the slot is provided with an end flange or tongue I23. The ofiset portion I20 provides a shoulder :ze' which limits outward movement of the member IIB by engagingethe outer end wall of the slot I22. The wings I'I8' are pivoted to the sides I24 of a push member I25 (Figs. 2 and 3) by a pin I26 which fits into holes I2? in the member I25. The push member I25 is of a size to slide in the slot H and normally projects as shown in Fig. 1 so that it isaccessible for actuation.

The-push member I25has a hole I28 which receives'a pin I29. This pin I29 is mounted in holes I29 in a U-shaped member I39 (see 'Fig. 4). The U-shaped member is cut away as at I3! so that it. may slide into the housing portion I 'I I of the handle. The outer end I32 of the member I 39 when assembled is' fiushwith the end I33 of the housing, so that when the housing is in position upon the door the U-shaped memher is held in place. A spring I34, Fig. 6, surrounds the pin E29 and engages the portion Ill and. the pushmember I25 to urge thelatter to projecting position.

When'the. member I25 is depressed as by the on the body portion II! will enter the slot 46 of the boltiand will engage theoperating-member 47 to actuate the latter to release the latch'device. A*modified'door'handle assembly is indicated generally at I40 in FigsylO and 11. As shown the assembly I48 -includes'a grip portion I4! and a housing portion I42 which has a hole I 3 through which an' elongated finger tip release push member I i protrudes. The member I44 is shown asmounted 'in"a'chamber I &5 in the housing portion I42. The axis of the housing portion chamber is disposed in 'the'median plane of the grip member. The housing portion is planar at its end I46 and is internally threaded at M1 to receive a threaded sleeve I43 which forms a mounting end. portion for the handle assembly.

'The threaded sleeve MBengages the-inner transverse end I49 of .a' U-shaped support I52. This. support I58 carries a pin I5I whichsupports the fingertip release push. member I44. A spring i52 engages the push member I44 and .the inner wall of the portion M5 to normally urge the push member I44 to protruding position.

The sleeve I48 engages the threads of the collar 79 so that when the handle is rotated the threads will cause the end I45 on the handle to approach the adjacent panel 84 of the door.

An escutcheon plate I53 is arranged about the member IE2. This plate includes an internal flange I54 which is arranged beneath the face I '46 and isengaged by a corrugatedspring washer I55. The Washer I 55 is compressed as the handle is rotated thusclamping the escutcheon in place and holding-the plate-16 in;place to complete the assembly.

The sleeve I48 and the housing. portion I 82 have aligned apertures I56 and I51 through which the tip I58 of-a spring I59 extends. This tip I58 prevents relative rotation between the parts I42 and I 48. The'tip I58 also is arranged in any one of a series of holes I60 in the escutcheon so that relative rotation between the escutcheon and the housing portion I42 is prevented.

Theescutcheon includes a downwardly projecting tongue I6I'-which extends through'aligned holes I62 "in the front-panel of the door and in been relatively advanced sufficiently whereupon the whole assembly will be held in place.

To release the handle the tip I58 of the spring is: pushed inwardly until it frees the escutcheon whereupon the handle may be unscrewed.

1 The push member IMI includes a pin I63 which pivotally supports an actuating member I64. The actuating member I54 extends through a hole I65 in the end I49 of the member I593. The hole IE5 is slightly larger than the actuating member (see Fig. 10) to permit the'actuating member to swing slightly as the push member M l reciprocates the actuating member. The free endof the actuating member I6 is offset from the pin I63 and is coaxially disposed'with respect to the chamber I45 and sleeve M8. The inner end of the actuating member I54 is rounded as at I66 and fits within a groove It? in the member 82.

After the parts are assembled pressure on the push member I44 will rock the member 22 thereby rotating the tube II and the rod 66, to move the arm 49 and thereby release the catch, as described in Patent 2,450,372 mentioned above.

The escutcheon holes I60 provide for adjustment of the handle position since by inserting the tip I58 of the spring in difierent holes different angle positions of the grip member MI may be secured. Some peopleprefer a vertical arrangement of the inside-handle while others prefer an inclined or a horizontal arrangement and the construction in a very simple manner provides for this desired adjustment. In releasing a latch the thumb of the hand grasping the grip member moves in an anatomically correct manner about its pivots in moving the'push member to-releasing position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A handle assembly for operating an automotive vehicle door latch, said assembly including a housing body. portion having "an elongated, grip' member thereon, said housingbody'portion having a chamber therein, said housing body'portion'having an end portion thereon, said housing end portion being adapted to enter an" aperture in a vehicle door, a supporting plate adapted to be disposed within a vehicle'do'or, said plate having ahole adapted to be aligned witha vehicle door hole, said supporting plate hole receiving the housing end portion, the plate and housing end portion having interengaging portions whereby the plate is adapted to hold the handle assembly upon a vehicle door, said housing body portion havinga hole therein adjacent to the grip member, said last mentioned hole opening into said chamber, a push member movably mounted within said chamber,- said push member including an end portion having a pushing area permitting the thumb of a hand grasping the grip member to move'about an axis perpendicular to the median plane of the grip member as the thumb sweeps across the push member in the act of moving the push member to latch releasing posimember, said supporting means including a transverse member in said'chamber, said transverse member having a hole through which said actuating member extends, the actuating member being free to move through said transverse member hole when the push member is operated.

2. A handle assembly for operating an automotive vehicle door latch, the assembly including a housing portion having a grip member thereon, the housing portion having a projecting end portion adapted to enter an aperture in a vehicle door, a pair of support plates adapted to be secured within a door, the support plates being spaced apart to receive the housing projecting end portion, the support plates and housing projecting end portion having opposed, coacting, converging, engaging portions which afford a camming action when the housing projecting end portion is moved inwardly, and means adapted to hold the handle assembly upon a door. a

3. A handle assembly for operating an automotive vehicle door latch, the assembly including a housing body portion having an elongated grip member thereon, the housing body portion having a chamber therein, the housing body portion having an end portion thereon, the housing end portion being adapted to enter an aperture in a vehicle door, a plate having an apertured portion and adapted to be disposed within and to engage the inner surface of a vehicle door, the plate aperture being adapted to be aligned with a vehicle door hole, the plate aperture receiving the housing end portion, the plate and housing end portion having interengaging portions whereby the plate is adapted to hold the handle assembly upon a vehicle door, the housing body portion having a hole therein adjacent to the grip member, the last mentioned hole opening into the chamber, a push member movable within the chamber and having a portion projecting through the last mentioned hole, the push member including a catch release actuating member, and a transverse member carried by the housing, the transverse member having a hole through which the actuating member extends, the actuating member being free to move through the transverse member hole when the push member is operated.

4. A handle assembly for operating an automotive vehicle door latch, the assembly including a housing body portion having an elongated grip member thereon, the housing body portion having a chamber therein, the housing body portion having an end portion thereon, the housing end portion being adapted to enter an aperture in a vehicle door, a plate having an apertured portion adapted to be disposed within and to engage the inner surface of a vehicle door, the plate aperture being adapted to be aligned with a vehicle door hole, the plate aperture receiving the housing end portion, the plate and housing end portion having interengaging portions whereby the plate is adapted to hold the handle assembly upon a vehicle door, the housing body portion having a hole therein adjacent to the grip member, the last mentioned hole opening into the chamber, a push member movably mounted within the chamber, the push member including an end portion projecting through the last mentioned hole, a catch release actuating member, and means to support one end portion of the actuating member in pivotal engagement with the push member, the supporting means including a transverse member in the chamber, the transverse member having a hole through which the actuating member extends, the actuating member being free to move through the transverse member hole when the push member is operated.

5. A unitary door handle assembly, the assembly including a housing portion having a chamber therein, the housing portion including a reduced tubular portion communicating with the housing chamber, the reduced tubular portion being adapted to enter an aperture in a vehicle door, there being a shoulder at the junction of the housing portion and reduced tubular portion, a washer on the reduced tubular portion and engaging the shoulder, the washer being adapted to engage the outer surface of a door, the shoulder limiting the inner movement of the reduced tubular portion, the reduced tubular portion having engaging means thereon adapted to coact with a companion member on a door to hold the handle assembly in place, an elongated grip member projecting from the housing portion, a push member movable in the chamber, a catch release actuating member, and means pivotally supporting the actuating member upon the support means for swinging movement and for reciprocation in the chamber, the support meansineluding a transverse portion extending across the chamber, the transverse portion having a hole through which the actuating member extends, the last mentioned hole being larger than the portion of the actuating member which extends therethrough to permit the actuating member to have swinging movement as it reciprocates in the chamber, the actuating member having a portion engageable with an operating member to shift the operating member, the push member having a digit engaging portion accessible through the housing portion hole.

6. A handle assembly including an apertured housing portion having an end portion adapted to extend through a hole in a door, a handle projecting from the housing portion, a removable support in said housing, a push member on said support and disposed in the housing aperture, a removable transverse member carried by said housing, said transverse member having a hole therein, an elongated actuating member, one portion of the actuating member being slidable through the hole in said transverse member, means shiftably supporting the actuating member on said push member for reciprocation with, and for swinging on, the push member, the longitudinal axis of the actuating member intersecting the push member in all operating positions of the actuating member and the push member, and spring means urging said actuating member and push member in one direction.

7. For use in a latch construction which includes a pivoted operating member movable to release a bolt, a door handle assembly including a housing portion, an elongated grip member integral with, and projecting from, the housing portion, the housing portion having a chamber therein, one end of the housing portion having a hole therein, said hole opening into the cham ber, a push member movable in the chamber and having a digit engaging end portion disposed in the hole, an elongated catch release actuating member, the catch release actuating member projecting outwardly beyond the other end of the housing, and pivotal mounting means pivotally supporting the catch release actuating member directly upon the push member so that the catch release actuating member advances with the push member and swings thereon, the longitudinal axis of the catch release actuating member intersecting the push member in all positions of the ama gam "7 two last' mentionedniembersi the catch release actuating melnber- 'having a portion engageable with? a -pivoted operating' member and aclapted 'to shift the operating member to bolt releasin "position.

8. F0r use in a' latch construction"whichincludes' a pivoted operating member -mov'able to release a bolt-a bolt"releasing- -assembly including a one piece' housing portion, the housing portion h'aving-a chamber therein, one-.end of the housing: portion having an openingfleading into the chamber, a push me'mbef' movable in' the chamber and having 'a 'digit engaging" end 'portion accessiblethrough the opening, an= elongatedcatch releaseactuating member; the catch 'release actuating member projecting outwardly beyondthe other end of the housing, shiftable mounting means shift'ably supporting the catch release actuating member 7 upon thepush member so that'.the"-catch release actuating member advances with the push member and 'shifts 'thereon; and a tifan'sverse'member carried by the-housing';ithe transverse m'eniber having-a' hole through which the -catch" release I actuating 'member extends' the'longitudinal ax-is of the catch release iactuating member intersecting the push memb'er in all: positions of -the' catchrelease actuating member and the push member,- the catch 'relea se actuating member ha'ving a portion engageable with rat pivoted operating member and adapted to shift the :operating-member i to'xbolt releasing position.

9; Ina latchconstruction'which includes ad'atch bolt: an operating member and means whereby movementiof'theoperating member releases-the plate having a 'series of circumierentially arranged apertures, :said housing and said-collar having aligned apertures, a spring disposed in said collar and having a radially directed 'tip extending through-said collar and sleeve aligned apertures and havi-ngitsextreme' end adapted tobe placed inany one of said escutcheon-plate apertures'to enable the angular position of the-housing and vgriprn'emberto be adjusted; an actuating member, -a push member insaidrhousing fornperatin'gt the actuating member, the push membef 'being accessibleto a d-igitof a hand engaging the grip member,- the :actuating member- :being arr'ang'eds'substantia'lly coaxial with and adj acent-:to the operating member I and being operable to move the operating member to 'bolt releasing position in angularlyadjusted positions of thehousing and grip member.

10.- :For :useiin: a latch construction which :lin- :cludes an zoperatingmember: movable to release' a =boltg-1a bolt releasing assembly'including a housing -portion having an inwardly uopen chamber, an elongated, :grip member; projecting fromwhe housing portion, the housing portion having -a chamber thereinand having an :edge' portion about the chamber'whichedge portionxisadapted to engage the "outer face "of a: door,: one end of the housingfportion includingianfextension which "is iiite'graFWith the ifiz'ier wall of the ehamber and-"Which rojects from the'nousing tyend said edge port'i0n'andis' adapted to extend th'rough a "holein a "doorgthe extension includinga slotted guide portion; the other end ofthe housing p'ortion ha'Ving an opening leading into the chamber, apush' member movable in thechamber and'having a digit' engaging end portion "accessible through the opening, I the digit engaging end porti'on' ibeing 'accessible -to a digit of thehand: en- 'ga'g ing' the -grip member, an elongated catch release actuating-member, :thecatch 'releaseiia'ctuating member i havingan outer end iprojecting beyondfthef'one end of the housingyfiand me'ans supporting theloatch "release 'iactuating'; member on thepushi'member. so that the catch release a'ctuating member-advancesi with the'j'push memher, the actuating member including an'finner end-portiondisposed in and slidable in'the slotted rgiiideLportiQn the longitudinal axis'of theicatch 'r'elease" actuating i-member intersecting the: push member at all times; Jthe.:catch release actuating .memberha'ving a. "portion 'engageable with: an operating member-rand adapted to :shift the-operating -member toebolt =re1easing position.

llprFor use ina: :latchconstruction-which in- 'cludes an operating-member movableto-releasea rbolt; a bolt releasing' handle assembly; including a housing portion :having- 'ian inwardly open chamber, an elongated 5 grip-"member 1 projecting from-the housingp'ortion, the housing portion *haV-ing" 'a/- chamber therein and having ant -edge "portioneabout the: chamber which -edge portion is. adapted to engage the outer face of a-door, one .endvofl the: housingportion including i anaextenisionfwhicnprojects beyond-said edge portion and "is adapted to extend through a hole in a-doonthe extension having -engaging means :thereon adapted-to coact with ascompaniontmember on a door to -hold the handleassembly. in place, "the se rtensionaincluding :a slotted guide portion which is disposed-adj acent tothe inner end of the chamber the other end of thehousing portion having an opening leading into the ."chamber, .a .pu'sh .member'. having a hollowen'dfand movable in the chamber and having adigit engaging end portion accessible through the. opening, the digitengaging endportion be'ingj acbessibleto al-"digit of the hand" engaging 'thegl'gr'ip" memben'i" an elongated catch" release actuating member,""the catch release actuatingmernber. having anouter end projecting beyon'dtheoneiendof the'hous'ing, and 'meanssupporting" the catch release 1 actuating mem'ber on the push member at a location within "the puswmember so that thecatch release "actuating member 'adv'ances with the' push member, the "catch release actuating member including an inner -'end portion disposed in, =-and slidable inf the s-lowed gu'ide portion, the longitudinal axis of' -"thecatch release actuating member inters'ecting the-ipush-'memberat all times, the eaten release 'actuati-ng member having a' portion engageable I with b -an operating iv member and adaptedto:shifirthe operating member to b'olt'releasingposition.

"BURNIE J CRAIG.

REFERENCES CI'LTED Ihe following referenceszare =of record-in the 

